Posted on Mar 15, 2014
Should the Military make it mandatory to pull over and salute the flags at 0600 and 1700?
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When I first enlisted a soldier would pull his/her vehicle over, step out and salute the flag. Six years later, I've noticed that no one does this anymore. I've also seen Soldiers of all ranks either dart to their car or garage. Sometimes they even wait until after it has finished before stepping out of the buildings. What are your thoughts on this?
Posted in these groups: 
Integrity
Flags and Vexillology
Integrity Flags and Vexillology
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 33
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hold formations at these times and don't release soldier from the duty day till they have rendered a salute to the flag. It a simple and easy fix. I pull over and render my salute and make my wife get out of the car if I am on post when the flag lowers for the day. I hate seeing soldier hiding at the PX or shoppette inside the doorway waiting for the flag to lower cause they are lazy and don't respect the flag of the country the serve and live.
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SGT Bryon Sergent
When I was active duty we never released before 1700 anyway. Might have been a few days in the year where the commander wanted a long weekend and we got out about 1600-1630. With that being said even after returning from Desert Storm, On Ft. Campbell you where required to stop and would get ticket from the MP's if you didn't. Oh, and don't get caught trying to run into a building. The SGM was always watching for those he needed for his detail!
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1SG Shane Hansen
It is the same everywhere, army regulation. If you hear the music or see the flag going up or down, you render the proper courtesies. This also includes when you hear the music while indoors. It's just time for NCOs to re-educate our Soldiers because there has been a failure somewhere along the way that needs correcting.
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CSM (Join to see)
Many posts are already doing this. I think as a Soldier, you should definitely render proper courtesies when the flag goes up and down. Its just the right thing to do.
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It was when I was in - that was an offense for which you would be punished.
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This tradition should never have been stopped, as far as I know, it used to be part of the general orders and should still be mandatory to stop and salute regardless of whereabouts on the base! It is most definitely an honor to stop and salute the flag when it is being raised or lowered, this is not only a tradition. It is an honor!
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I separated from the military many years ago, but when I was active this wasn't a question. As soon as you heard retreat sound you would stop snap to attention face the post flag and salute. Also, people would stop their cars to show their respect. It is disappointing to know that this time honored tradition is no longer being practiced.
Also, many people don't realize how much you long for the days when you were serving and would hear the national anthem and you would snap a salute to show your respect to your country and all that have gone before you.
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When did it become not mandatory? It was when I was in and if you don't honor our flag and all it stands for, then you are likely in the wrong career, and even possibly the wrong country! It's called respect and Patriotism.
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i know in my unit when we hear the flag and we are in our vehicles we get out and salute, if we are in a building we immediately stop what we are doing and we stand at attention until iits over. Here in fort hood the gates close and main roads close 3 minutes before 1700 and people get out of the vehicle to salute. Personally i do not mind i am proud to serve and i see it as an honor to salute the flag when i do.
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I think there might be some variances by service and base / post. For example, If I was driving, I was taught to pull over, turn off the radio (if it was playing) and "sit at attention" during the national anthem as it may not be appropriate for a driver to get out of the vehicle. Additionally, those performing critical duties (or in a hazardous area) were not expected to stop what they were doing to render appropriate courtesies to the Flag due to their mission or the risk to themselves or others.
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You are supposed to. Most of the time I am driving with the windows up and the radio on so I don't always hear it. When I do hear it, I pull over and salute. A Soldier shouldn't avoid saluting though. That's just wrong.
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